Coastal board pushing for more measures to protect mangroves

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu Coastal Management Board (CMB) has requested the Cebu City Council to legislate programs and protection measures for the growth and development of mangroves in Barangays Cogon Pardo and Inayawan.

Ed Karlon Rama, CMB chairperson, said that despite the fact that mangroves are protected under a national law, local legislation is more "nuanced and aligned with local contexts."

He added that with legislative backing, a project can be conceived, key result areas can be identified, and a work plan can be developed. Aside from these factors, job specifications can be formulated, and appropriate job descriptions can also be assigned.

It can be remembered that, amid concerns over the compromised mangrove area in Cogon Pardo, its proponent—the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)—admitted its lapses in securing permits, drawing criticism and scrutiny from Councilor Jocelyn Pesquera during an executive session last Wednesday.

Last week, Acting Mayor Donaldo Hontiveros also approved the issuance of a cease-and-desist order against a development in Cogon Pardo that compromises the health of the mangroves in the same area.

Meanwhile, beneficiaries of the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program, along with some Cebu City Government workers, have started cleaning up one of the garbage-filled barangays, Barangay Pasil, especially the coastal area ahead of the Citywide clean-up drive set today.

The Coastal Management Board (CMB) facilitated the clean-up activity yesterday carried out by beneficiaries of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-TUPAD program.

Arquillia Gabucan, CMB’s waste management coordinator, said the group of beneficiaries who participated in the clean-up yesterday was already the second batch.

The second batch of TUPAD beneficiaries were supposed to plant mangroves in the area. However, after noticing the tons of garbage, they decided to conduct cleanup instead. The first batch of beneficiaries also did the same thing after noticing the garbage.

Gabucan said she noticed that garbage filled up the coastal area anew as it is not only the residents in the area that’s causing the pile-up, but those from mountain barangays as well.

Due to the presence of garbage, the clean-up initiatives in Barangay Pasil and other coastal barangays will resume today, via the 20th mid-year Clean-Up Drive where City Hall employees and various volunteer groups also expected to participate.

Acting Mayor Dondon Hontiveros expressed his gratitude to those who responded to his call for participants and volunteers, saying that maintaining a clean city is a “shared responsibility."

He also acknowledged City Administrator Kristine Batucan for issuing a memorandum enjoining the participation of City Hall employees.

Hontiveros said the initiative is anchored on City Ordinance 2593, which institutionalized the regular cleanup of rivers, natural waterways, and coastal areas within Cebu City.

While the clean-up drive is usually scheduled on the second Saturday of each quarter, this edition was moved to accommodate other City Government activities.

Like in the past clean-up activities, the focus will be on cleaning the city’s major rivers, including the Bulacao River, Tagonol, Kinalumsan, Guadalupe River, Estero de Parian, Lahug, Mahiga River, and Butuanon River.

During the March 15 clean-up, the City Government collected nearly 115 tons of wastes.

Hontiveros hopes that turnout in today’s activity will be similarly successful, though he’s optimistic that less trash will be gathered due to residents now taking initiative in waste segregation ahead of time.

Participants in today's clean-up drive are the Philippine Society of Sanitary Engineers, who will be leading efforts around Bacayan Bridge; the Cebu Institute of Technology-University’s National Service Training Program in the Tres de Abril area; volunteers from Fujitsu who will clean Rahman Bridge area;  the Samahan ng Nagkakaisang Pamilyang Pantawid in Kinalumsan; and the Philippine Coast Guard – Central Cebu in Estero de Parian.

Other participating organizations include Fast Logistics, Scouts Royal Brotherhood, BJMP Female Dorm and Annex, Quest Hotel, Prince Warehouse, Rotary Club of Banilad Metro, Ateneo-Boy Scouts-Il Curso, Junior High Boy Scouts of USJR, and JCI-Cebu.

City Council members, barangay officials, and other local leaders are also expected to join and support the initiative.

This year’s campaign carries the theme, “Limpyo nga Dakbayan, Garbo sa Tanan”. (CEBU NEWS)